Hemant Mehta
@friendlyatheist.com
Jeopardy! champ everywhere but Canada. Writer. YouTuber. Podcaster. [email protected]. (Send me story tips!) http://linktr.ee/HemantMehta
Articles at https://friendlyatheist.com
Articles at https://friendlyatheist.com
Thing I learned today: My dad has an Indian dude he calls when the TV remote isn't working, and they talk ALL THE TIME.
None of them have any clue how to turn on the TV.
Sure, I could help, but no one's asking me.
None of them have any clue how to turn on the TV.
Sure, I could help, but no one's asking me.
November 27, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Thing I learned today: My dad has an Indian dude he calls when the TV remote isn't working, and they talk ALL THE TIME.
None of them have any clue how to turn on the TV.
Sure, I could help, but no one's asking me.
None of them have any clue how to turn on the TV.
Sure, I could help, but no one's asking me.
I'll be going live this afternoon to talk about the past week in church/state separation! (Yes, it's Thanksgiving, but there's SO MUCH!)
We'll be talking about school vouchers in Alabama, protests against a "Gothmas" festival, and so much more...
youtube.com/live/chfofXO...
We'll be talking about school vouchers in Alabama, protests against a "Gothmas" festival, and so much more...
youtube.com/live/chfofXO...
LIVE: Friendly Atheist News Roundup 11/27/2025
YouTube video by Friendly Atheist
youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
I'll be going live this afternoon to talk about the past week in church/state separation! (Yes, it's Thanksgiving, but there's SO MUCH!)
We'll be talking about school vouchers in Alabama, protests against a "Gothmas" festival, and so much more...
youtube.com/live/chfofXO...
We'll be talking about school vouchers in Alabama, protests against a "Gothmas" festival, and so much more...
youtube.com/live/chfofXO...
Iowa Republicans blocked a Satanic Temple holiday display AGAIN because "anything that is not God first" is harmful to children.
(Yes, they actually said that.)
This is what the collapse of “religious freedom” looks like.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/iowa-offic...
(Yes, they actually said that.)
This is what the collapse of “religious freedom” looks like.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/iowa-offic...
Iowa officials block Satanic display again, exposing GOP's true stance on religious liberty
State officials keep inventing rules to silence The Satanic Temple while pretending they only care about “protecting children”
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Iowa Republicans blocked a Satanic Temple holiday display AGAIN because "anything that is not God first" is harmful to children.
(Yes, they actually said that.)
This is what the collapse of “religious freedom” looks like.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/iowa-offic...
(Yes, they actually said that.)
This is what the collapse of “religious freedom” looks like.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/iowa-offic...
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
"Merry Gothmas doesn’t diminish Christianity. It doesn’t insult Christian worship. It just exists alongside it. But Christians don’t own the cultural version of Christmas any more than they own December itself."
A family-friendly goth-themed holiday market in California is being called a "grave threat to... spiritual health" by local clergy.
The drama over "Merry Gothmas" is ridiculous—and totally missing the point.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/religious-...
The drama over "Merry Gothmas" is ridiculous—and totally missing the point.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/religious-...
Religious leaders demand "immediate cancellation" of "Merry Gothmas" festival
A spooky, family-friendly holiday market in Ventura, CA is under fire from clergy who insist a pun on Christmas is a “grave threat" to their "spiritual health.”
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:47 PM
"Merry Gothmas doesn’t diminish Christianity. It doesn’t insult Christian worship. It just exists alongside it. But Christians don’t own the cultural version of Christmas any more than they own December itself."
The government should have ended its partnership with Scouting America (a.k.a. the Boy Scouts of America) years ago.
But doing it now because the group allows girls and trans kids?
That’s peak culture-war stupidity from Pete Hegseth.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-govern...
But doing it now because the group allows girls and trans kids?
That’s peak culture-war stupidity from Pete Hegseth.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-govern...
The government should cut ties with Scouting America, but Pete Hegseth's reasons are absurd
Instead of citing real issues like abuse and atheist exclusion, the Secretary of Defense claimed Scouting America isn't doing enough to "cultivate masculine values"
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:23 PM
The government should have ended its partnership with Scouting America (a.k.a. the Boy Scouts of America) years ago.
But doing it now because the group allows girls and trans kids?
That’s peak culture-war stupidity from Pete Hegseth.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-govern...
But doing it now because the group allows girls and trans kids?
That’s peak culture-war stupidity from Pete Hegseth.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-govern...
A family-friendly goth-themed holiday market in California is being called a "grave threat to... spiritual health" by local clergy.
The drama over "Merry Gothmas" is ridiculous—and totally missing the point.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/religious-...
The drama over "Merry Gothmas" is ridiculous—and totally missing the point.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/religious-...
Religious leaders demand "immediate cancellation" of "Merry Gothmas" festival
A spooky, family-friendly holiday market in Ventura, CA is under fire from clergy who insist a pun on Christmas is a “grave threat" to their "spiritual health.”
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A family-friendly goth-themed holiday market in California is being called a "grave threat to... spiritual health" by local clergy.
The drama over "Merry Gothmas" is ridiculous—and totally missing the point.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/religious-...
The drama over "Merry Gothmas" is ridiculous—and totally missing the point.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/religious-...
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
In an Abeka history textbook, authors write that “slaves seemed to be better investments than indentured servants,” & claim that freedmen promoted “fiscal irresponsibility” during Reconstruction. Authors blamed the decline of “American’s views on race relations” on the nation’s first Black president
Alabama is funneling millions of taxpayer dollars into private schools using textbooks that deny evolution, whitewash history, and attack LGBTQ people.
Kids deserve better than conservative Christian propaganda.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/taxpayer-d...
Kids deserve better than conservative Christian propaganda.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/taxpayer-d...
Taxpayer dollars, Christian lies: What Alabama’s voucher program really buys
Christian textbooks that deny evolution, downplay slavery, and avoid critical thinking are now being subsidized with public funds
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:28 PM
In an Abeka history textbook, authors write that “slaves seemed to be better investments than indentured servants,” & claim that freedmen promoted “fiscal irresponsibility” during Reconstruction. Authors blamed the decline of “American’s views on race relations” on the nation’s first Black president
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
Oklahoma may once again be used to test whether taxpayers can be forced to fund religious charter schools.
FFRF will stand with allies and oppose any attempt to turn public education into taxpayer-funded religious indoctrination.
FFRF will stand with allies and oppose any attempt to turn public education into taxpayer-funded religious indoctrination.
The last time Oklahoma approved a taxpayer-funded religious charter school, it ended with a 7-1 smackdown by the state Supreme Court.
Now they’re trying again—hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will bail them out.
Full story 👇
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-new-reli...
Now they’re trying again—hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will bail them out.
Full story 👇
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-new-reli...
A new religious charter school could open in Oklahoma. The last one was ruled illegal.
A second attempt to use taxpayer dollars for religious indoctrination exposes a coordinated assault on church–state separation
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Oklahoma may once again be used to test whether taxpayers can be forced to fund religious charter schools.
FFRF will stand with allies and oppose any attempt to turn public education into taxpayer-funded religious indoctrination.
FFRF will stand with allies and oppose any attempt to turn public education into taxpayer-funded religious indoctrination.
The last time Oklahoma approved a taxpayer-funded religious charter school, it ended with a 7-1 smackdown by the state Supreme Court.
Now they’re trying again—hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will bail them out.
Full story 👇
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-new-reli...
Now they’re trying again—hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will bail them out.
Full story 👇
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-new-reli...
A new religious charter school could open in Oklahoma. The last one was ruled illegal.
A second attempt to use taxpayer dollars for religious indoctrination exposes a coordinated assault on church–state separation
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:13 PM
The last time Oklahoma approved a taxpayer-funded religious charter school, it ended with a 7-1 smackdown by the state Supreme Court.
Now they’re trying again—hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will bail them out.
Full story 👇
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-new-reli...
Now they’re trying again—hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will bail them out.
Full story 👇
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-new-reli...
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
Alabama’s voucher scheme is doing exactly what it was designed to do: drain public schools to subsidize religious indoctrination.
Alabama is funneling millions of taxpayer dollars into private schools using textbooks that deny evolution, whitewash history, and attack LGBTQ people.
Kids deserve better than conservative Christian propaganda.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/taxpayer-d...
Kids deserve better than conservative Christian propaganda.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/taxpayer-d...
Taxpayer dollars, Christian lies: What Alabama’s voucher program really buys
Christian textbooks that deny evolution, downplay slavery, and avoid critical thinking are now being subsidized with public funds
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Alabama’s voucher scheme is doing exactly what it was designed to do: drain public schools to subsidize religious indoctrination.
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
"Why the Future of Atheism Looks Bright (Despite Everything)" by Hemant Mehta, the @friendlyatheist.com
Join us tomorrow to see Hemant Mehta again tomorrow at 11 am in person or at www.youtube.com/@ethicalstl
Join us tomorrow to see Hemant Mehta again tomorrow at 11 am in person or at www.youtube.com/@ethicalstl
November 25, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Today's @slate.com crossword is mine, with references to soccer, alcohol, and The Hunting Wives.
Go do it!
slate.com/life/2025/11...
Go do it!
slate.com/life/2025/11...
Slate Crossword: Abbr. Absent From Most Modern Phones (Four Letters)
Ready for some wordplay? Sharpen your skills with Slate’s puzzle for Nov. 24, 2025.
slate.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Today's @slate.com crossword is mine, with references to soccer, alcohol, and The Hunting Wives.
Go do it!
slate.com/life/2025/11...
Go do it!
slate.com/life/2025/11...
Alabama is funneling millions of taxpayer dollars into private schools using textbooks that deny evolution, whitewash history, and attack LGBTQ people.
Kids deserve better than conservative Christian propaganda.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/taxpayer-d...
Kids deserve better than conservative Christian propaganda.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/taxpayer-d...
Taxpayer dollars, Christian lies: What Alabama’s voucher program really buys
Christian textbooks that deny evolution, downplay slavery, and avoid critical thinking are now being subsidized with public funds
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Alabama is funneling millions of taxpayer dollars into private schools using textbooks that deny evolution, whitewash history, and attack LGBTQ people.
Kids deserve better than conservative Christian propaganda.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/taxpayer-d...
Kids deserve better than conservative Christian propaganda.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/taxpayer-d...
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
This morning at the Society (www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ3z... ):
"Why Humanists Need to Change Their Media Tactics" By Hemant Mehta, the @friendlyatheist.com
Music by the Ethical Band
Join us next week at 11am in person or youtube.com/@EthicalStL
"Why Humanists Need to Change Their Media Tactics" By Hemant Mehta, the @friendlyatheist.com
Music by the Ethical Band
Join us next week at 11am in person or youtube.com/@EthicalStL
November 23, 2025 at 6:41 PM
This morning at the Society (www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ3z... ):
"Why Humanists Need to Change Their Media Tactics" By Hemant Mehta, the @friendlyatheist.com
Music by the Ethical Band
Join us next week at 11am in person or youtube.com/@EthicalStL
"Why Humanists Need to Change Their Media Tactics" By Hemant Mehta, the @friendlyatheist.com
Music by the Ethical Band
Join us next week at 11am in person or youtube.com/@EthicalStL
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
"Why the Future of Atheism Looks Bright (Despite Everything)" by Hemant Mehta, the @friendlyatheist.com
Join us tomorrow to see Hemant Mehta again tomorrow at 11 am in person or at www.youtube.com/@ethicalstl
Join us tomorrow to see Hemant Mehta again tomorrow at 11 am in person or at www.youtube.com/@ethicalstl
November 23, 2025 at 3:24 AM
"Why the Future of Atheism Looks Bright (Despite Everything)" by Hemant Mehta, the @friendlyatheist.com
Join us tomorrow to see Hemant Mehta again tomorrow at 11 am in person or at www.youtube.com/@ethicalstl
Join us tomorrow to see Hemant Mehta again tomorrow at 11 am in person or at www.youtube.com/@ethicalstl
One Minnesota pastor's idea of forgiveness was forcing kids to hug their abuser, then keep quiet.
By ignoring mandated reporting laws, he allowed the abuser to find "hundreds" of victims.
It's a horrifying story.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-minnesot...
By ignoring mandated reporting laws, he allowed the abuser to find "hundreds" of victims.
It's a horrifying story.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-minnesot...
A Minnesota church told kids to hug and forgive their abuser. Then he found more victims.
Church leaders ignored the mandatory reporting law, pressured victims to forgive and forget, and obstructed justice for years
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:14 PM
One Minnesota pastor's idea of forgiveness was forcing kids to hug their abuser, then keep quiet.
By ignoring mandated reporting laws, he allowed the abuser to find "hundreds" of victims.
It's a horrifying story.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-minnesot...
By ignoring mandated reporting laws, he allowed the abuser to find "hundreds" of victims.
It's a horrifying story.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/a-minnesot...
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
"This is the day I realized Zohran had the sauce because he went in there and he hypnotized the guy."
Ben Collins joins @stephruhle.bsky.social on the #Nightcap to try to explain the unexpected warmth between Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani at the White House.
Ben Collins joins @stephruhle.bsky.social on the #Nightcap to try to explain the unexpected warmth between Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani at the White House.
November 22, 2025 at 4:43 AM
"This is the day I realized Zohran had the sauce because he went in there and he hypnotized the guy."
Ben Collins joins @stephruhle.bsky.social on the #Nightcap to try to explain the unexpected warmth between Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani at the White House.
Ben Collins joins @stephruhle.bsky.social on the #Nightcap to try to explain the unexpected warmth between Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani at the White House.
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
It’s wild when the UK, a country with an official state church, is the one recognizing religious instruction as indoctrination.
Meanwhile, Christian nationalist leaders here are sprinting in the opposite direction with Ten Commandments mandates, bible lessons, and school-sponsored proselytizing.
Meanwhile, Christian nationalist leaders here are sprinting in the opposite direction with Ten Commandments mandates, bible lessons, and school-sponsored proselytizing.
"Indoctrination."
That’s how the UK Supreme Court described religious education in Northern Ireland's public schools.
Their ruling against the Christian-centric curriculum will change how faith is taught throughout the country.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/uk-supreme...
That’s how the UK Supreme Court described religious education in Northern Ireland's public schools.
Their ruling against the Christian-centric curriculum will change how faith is taught throughout the country.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/uk-supreme...
UK Supreme Court strikes down N. Ireland's pro-Christian Religious Education curriculum
The landmark ruling declared decades of school-led Christian indoctrination unlawful
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
It’s wild when the UK, a country with an official state church, is the one recognizing religious instruction as indoctrination.
Meanwhile, Christian nationalist leaders here are sprinting in the opposite direction with Ten Commandments mandates, bible lessons, and school-sponsored proselytizing.
Meanwhile, Christian nationalist leaders here are sprinting in the opposite direction with Ten Commandments mandates, bible lessons, and school-sponsored proselytizing.
"Indoctrination."
That’s how the UK Supreme Court described religious education in Northern Ireland's public schools.
Their ruling against the Christian-centric curriculum will change how faith is taught throughout the country.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/uk-supreme...
That’s how the UK Supreme Court described religious education in Northern Ireland's public schools.
Their ruling against the Christian-centric curriculum will change how faith is taught throughout the country.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/uk-supreme...
UK Supreme Court strikes down N. Ireland's pro-Christian Religious Education curriculum
The landmark ruling declared decades of school-led Christian indoctrination unlawful
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:24 PM
"Indoctrination."
That’s how the UK Supreme Court described religious education in Northern Ireland's public schools.
Their ruling against the Christian-centric curriculum will change how faith is taught throughout the country.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/uk-supreme...
That’s how the UK Supreme Court described religious education in Northern Ireland's public schools.
Their ruling against the Christian-centric curriculum will change how faith is taught throughout the country.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/uk-supreme...
New reporting shows the "public Christian school" in Colorado wasn’t a mistake.
It was designed to break church/state boundaries.
A right-wing legal group is treating it as a test case.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/colorados-...
It was designed to break church/state boundaries.
A right-wing legal group is treating it as a test case.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/colorados-...
Colorado’s “first public Christian school” isn't a mistake. It's a test case.
Behind the scenes, a conservative legal group and district leaders crafted a challenge to church-state separation
www.friendlyatheist.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:21 PM
New reporting shows the "public Christian school" in Colorado wasn’t a mistake.
It was designed to break church/state boundaries.
A right-wing legal group is treating it as a test case.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/colorados-...
It was designed to break church/state boundaries.
A right-wing legal group is treating it as a test case.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/colorados-...
I'll be going live *tonight* to talk about the past week in church/state separation!
We'll be talking about the Supreme Court, a horrible Epstein defense from Catholics, and so much more...
youtube.com/live/OLaMkzx...
We'll be talking about the Supreme Court, a horrible Epstein defense from Catholics, and so much more...
youtube.com/live/OLaMkzx...
LIVE: Friendly Atheist News Roundup 11/19/2025
YouTube video by Friendly Atheist
youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:21 PM
I'll be going live *tonight* to talk about the past week in church/state separation!
We'll be talking about the Supreme Court, a horrible Epstein defense from Catholics, and so much more...
youtube.com/live/OLaMkzx...
We'll be talking about the Supreme Court, a horrible Epstein defense from Catholics, and so much more...
youtube.com/live/OLaMkzx...
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
They're literally doing the Gianmarco Soresi joke...
The Catholic League's response to the Epstein files? Arguing technicalities over the ages of the victims.
They're not defending faith. They're enabling harm.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-cathol...
They're not defending faith. They're enabling harm.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-cathol...
November 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
They're literally doing the Gianmarco Soresi joke...
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
Can we get a state Attorney General to subpoena this man's email accounts? Because yikes.
The Catholic League's response to the Epstein files? Arguing technicalities over the ages of the victims.
They're not defending faith. They're enabling harm.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-cathol...
They're not defending faith. They're enabling harm.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-cathol...
November 19, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Can we get a state Attorney General to subpoena this man's email accounts? Because yikes.
The Catholic League's response to the Epstein files? Arguing technicalities over the ages of the victims.
They're not defending faith. They're enabling harm.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-cathol...
They're not defending faith. They're enabling harm.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-cathol...
November 19, 2025 at 2:27 PM
The Catholic League's response to the Epstein files? Arguing technicalities over the ages of the victims.
They're not defending faith. They're enabling harm.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-cathol...
They're not defending faith. They're enabling harm.
www.friendlyatheist.com/p/the-cathol...
Reposted by Hemant Mehta
New — I wrote about the myriad ways journalism’s moral rot manifests, and how our crumbling institutions have created the conditions for it to fester:
Moral rot in elite journalism is killing the whole field
The Nuzzi/RFK Jr. mess and the revelation of Esptein's journo pals lay bare a profound moral absence at the heart of our free press.
www.thehandbasket.co
November 18, 2025 at 10:03 PM
New — I wrote about the myriad ways journalism’s moral rot manifests, and how our crumbling institutions have created the conditions for it to fester: